West Coast for 4 weeks in June 2019
Nov 16th, 2018, 08:38 AM
#41
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Rooms in the valley have "free cancellation" if not then people who do cancel their reservation would be charged at least 1 night of their stay
Which the best or official website to book rooms in the valley ?
For booking in El portal should I use the normal booking sites like Agoda, booking.com etc or any others
thanks
Which the best or official website to book rooms in the valley ?
For booking in El portal should I use the normal booking sites like Agoda, booking.com etc or any others
thanks
Nov 16th, 2018, 11:31 AM
#42
There is ONLY one official website -- no 'best' -- for booking in Yosemite. https://www.travelyosemite.com/lodgi...ng-experience/
For El Portal properties, both have very easy websites so no reason to go through a third party.
I personally would not bother booking anything anywhere until AFTER you have your flights nailed down. What good would it do to book 3 nights in Yosemite before you know if you will even be in Northern California at that specific time? Just extra work. Book your flights as soon as you can and then start working on Yosemite and finalizing your itinerary.
For El Portal properties, both have very easy websites so no reason to go through a third party.
I personally would not bother booking anything anywhere until AFTER you have your flights nailed down. What good would it do to book 3 nights in Yosemite before you know if you will even be in Northern California at that specific time? Just extra work. Book your flights as soon as you can and then start working on Yosemite and finalizing your itinerary.
Dec 9th, 2018, 04:16 AM
#43
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Finalizing the days so as to get an itinerary in order and see what should be included and excluded. Starting on or about June 06, 2019
LA - 3 nights
drive to yosemite
Yosemite - 3 nights
drive to SF
SF - 5 nights
drive through PCH 1
Carmel 1 night
Pismo 1 night
San diego 2/3 night
Vegas 4 nights
Anaheim 3 nights
we can have another 3-5 nights. Any other suggestion please
LA - 3 nights
drive to yosemite
Yosemite - 3 nights
drive to SF
SF - 5 nights
drive through PCH 1
Carmel 1 night
Pismo 1 night
San diego 2/3 night
Vegas 4 nights
Anaheim 3 nights
we can have another 3-5 nights. Any other suggestion please
Dec 9th, 2018, 05:26 AM
#44
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Just a few thoughts:
The nicest part of PCH is between Carmel and Pismo beach.
It won't take a day to drive from San Francisco to Carmel/Monterey area.
Spend your extra time in Carmel/Monterey and along the way to Pismo Beach.
It will be very hot in Vegas and it is not a nice place for a child, 4 days there is way too much. Go down to San Diego from Anaheim or go to Grand Canyon from Vegas to spend the extra time.
The nicest part of PCH is between Carmel and Pismo beach.
It won't take a day to drive from San Francisco to Carmel/Monterey area.
Spend your extra time in Carmel/Monterey and along the way to Pismo Beach.
It will be very hot in Vegas and it is not a nice place for a child, 4 days there is way too much. Go down to San Diego from Anaheim or go to Grand Canyon from Vegas to spend the extra time.
Dec 9th, 2018, 06:17 AM
#45
quick comments:
>>drive through PCH 1
Carmel 1 night>Pismo 1 night
San diego 2/3 night
Vegas 4 nights
Anaheim 3 nights
This whole bit needs rethinking IMO.
1) Pismo to San Diego is a long (loooooong) haul.
2) Las Vegas is not nice in the summer and no fun for children since they can't even really lay out by the pool after 10 or 11 AM because of the heat. I know you want to go there mainly for the shopping but there is as good shopping in California. So if you just want to say you've been there 1 or 2 nights is PLENTY.
3) Pismo > way south to SD > then way NE to Vegas > then way SW to Anaheim has you zigging and zagging like crazy. If you must go to all these paces. It would be a lot easier if you omitted Las Vegas but you really seem set on seeing it. So if las Vegas is a 'must' . . . Do it this way LA > Vegas > Yosemite > SF > Down the coast > Anaheim/San Diego. Anaheim SD can be done in either order -- mostly depends on your flight home and where you need to be the last day.
>>drive through PCH 1
Carmel 1 night>Pismo 1 night
San diego 2/3 night
Vegas 4 nights
Anaheim 3 nights
This whole bit needs rethinking IMO.
1) Pismo to San Diego is a long (loooooong) haul.
2) Las Vegas is not nice in the summer and no fun for children since they can't even really lay out by the pool after 10 or 11 AM because of the heat. I know you want to go there mainly for the shopping but there is as good shopping in California. So if you just want to say you've been there 1 or 2 nights is PLENTY.
3) Pismo > way south to SD > then way NE to Vegas > then way SW to Anaheim has you zigging and zagging like crazy. If you must go to all these paces. It would be a lot easier if you omitted Las Vegas but you really seem set on seeing it. So if las Vegas is a 'must' . . . Do it this way LA > Vegas > Yosemite > SF > Down the coast > Anaheim/San Diego. Anaheim SD can be done in either order -- mostly depends on your flight home and where you need to be the last day.
Last edited by Moderator1; Apr 10th, 2020 at 06:45 PM.
Dec 9th, 2018, 08:51 AM
#46
we can have another 3-5 nights. Any other suggestion please
Just put those "extra" nights where you are already going to be. I also would skip Las Vegas but that seems for whatever reason something that is sticking on this itinerary.
I would put any extra time you end up with somewhere on the California coast between SF and LA. That is a beautiful stretch of the state and deserves much more than a "drive by".
Just put those "extra" nights where you are already going to be. I also would skip Las Vegas but that seems for whatever reason something that is sticking on this itinerary.
I would put any extra time you end up with somewhere on the California coast between SF and LA. That is a beautiful stretch of the state and deserves much more than a "drive by".
Dec 9th, 2018, 09:22 AM
#47
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Thank you all for your nice siggestions
Vegas for us is a happening city, though we are not into gambling or drinking at all, but it's vibrant and rock style is attracting us. Another reason to stay extra in Vegas is the Premium outlet mall and have heard good about it
Agree to all & would add another day to Carmel, so now Carmel would be 2 nights + Pismo 1 night
@Janisg - good suggestion on taking Vegas on the first leg, the only reason I was thinking of taking it in the last is that I think I do not need the rented car in Vegas, so how about Pismo to LA, drop the car and go to Vegas or San Diego then after covering both come back to Anaheim and leave from LA intl airport
Just a thought - how about Mexico for 3 nights
Vegas for us is a happening city, though we are not into gambling or drinking at all, but it's vibrant and rock style is attracting us. Another reason to stay extra in Vegas is the Premium outlet mall and have heard good about it
Agree to all & would add another day to Carmel, so now Carmel would be 2 nights + Pismo 1 night
@Janisg - good suggestion on taking Vegas on the first leg, the only reason I was thinking of taking it in the last is that I think I do not need the rented car in Vegas, so how about Pismo to LA, drop the car and go to Vegas or San Diego then after covering both come back to Anaheim and leave from LA intl airport
Just a thought - how about Mexico for 3 nights
Dec 9th, 2018, 09:35 AM
#48
Keep the car for Vegas. Don't you want to go out to Red Rock Canyon? Do any sightseeing outside of town?
Mexico??? As in the country of Mexico? Hopefully you are not considering adding Tijuana, are you??
Mexico??? As in the country of Mexico? Hopefully you are not considering adding Tijuana, are you??
Dec 9th, 2018, 10:07 AM
#50
Please don't go into Tijuana. If you really want to go into Mexico, go south on US 95 from Las Vegas to Yuma Arizona. From Yuma go west on I-8 less than 10 miles and take 186 south to the big parking lot on the US side. Walk from your car to Los Algodones. If you need any dental work done, you can get it done there for less than half what it costs in the US.
My DW and I went to a geocaching event on a Sunday last February in Los Algodones. The food at the restaurant was very good IMO.
You will have to wait in a line to get back into the US.
The rental cars from Las Vegas are a lot cheaper than anything you rent in California. Why not fly to Las Vegas and make a loop beginning and ending in LV?
My DW and I went to a geocaching event on a Sunday last February in Los Algodones. The food at the restaurant was very good IMO.
You will have to wait in a line to get back into the US.
The rental cars from Las Vegas are a lot cheaper than anything you rent in California. Why not fly to Las Vegas and make a loop beginning and ending in LV?
Dec 9th, 2018, 11:28 AM
#51
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Forget Tijuana, if you had time (which I do not think you do) instead fly to Los Cabos or Puerto Vallarta.
I pretty much agree with most of janisj's advice of adding another night to Monterey or Carmel since there is so much to do there, and drop at least one from Vegas, especially since you are not planning on gambling or drinking much. Plus not much to do for kids or teens there, they cannot even stand in the casino to watch you play a hand of blackjack, security will move them right along.
There are plenty of outlet malls in California, many of which have been mentioned upthread.
I pretty much agree with most of janisj's advice of adding another night to Monterey or Carmel since there is so much to do there, and drop at least one from Vegas, especially since you are not planning on gambling or drinking much. Plus not much to do for kids or teens there, they cannot even stand in the casino to watch you play a hand of blackjack, security will move them right along.
There are plenty of outlet malls in California, many of which have been mentioned upthread.
Dec 9th, 2018, 07:40 PM
#53
Me personally . . . I'd never visit Vegas because of the outlets but you seem convinced that the only good shopping is in Las Vegas. (And this is not from a Vegas hater - in fact I stayed there one night early last month). But geeze - it is a hell hole in summer and is not a family friendly destination . . . AND there are wonderful outlets all OVER California . . .
Dec 10th, 2018, 01:42 AM
#54
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Thank you - it's amazing to hear all your suggestions
Mexico - with a budget in mind wanted to do it in a small budget by driving from Dan Diego or Vegas
Vegas - it's not about shopping at Vegas but if one goes there, then wanted to take advantage of the premium outlet mall. We find US shopping as the cheapest in the world and we really want to take full advantage of it, as somebody said
"After vacations finish, u only have 2 things, memories and shopping" hahaha
& off course want to see the hustle & bustle, the big casinos and bars and hotels it is famous for & we do understand that children cannot go inside , Even if we go it may only be just for a game
The Vegas summer temperature is truly something to think about , so we reduce 1 day and now Vegas is for 3 noghts
The Grand canyons do not attract us, as we are more towards greenery, lakes and waterfalls
So now, we have dropped 1 day from Vegas and added it to Carmel, so still we have the same 3-5 days
As suggested should we add another day to Yosemite and make it 4 nights
Lake Tahoe 1 night
please suggest
Mexico - with a budget in mind wanted to do it in a small budget by driving from Dan Diego or Vegas
Vegas - it's not about shopping at Vegas but if one goes there, then wanted to take advantage of the premium outlet mall. We find US shopping as the cheapest in the world and we really want to take full advantage of it, as somebody said
"After vacations finish, u only have 2 things, memories and shopping" hahaha
& off course want to see the hustle & bustle, the big casinos and bars and hotels it is famous for & we do understand that children cannot go inside , Even if we go it may only be just for a game
The Vegas summer temperature is truly something to think about , so we reduce 1 day and now Vegas is for 3 noghts
The Grand canyons do not attract us, as we are more towards greenery, lakes and waterfalls
So now, we have dropped 1 day from Vegas and added it to Carmel, so still we have the same 3-5 days
As suggested should we add another day to Yosemite and make it 4 nights
Lake Tahoe 1 night
please suggest
Dec 10th, 2018, 06:27 AM
#56
Several years ago I rented a Mazda 2 with less than 1K miles on it when I rented it for $14/day. I only rent from Hertz when their price is within a dollar/day of the other rental agencies. I once rented from Fox in LV but never again. I usually do my comparison shopping on Priceline. If you shop around, and book about 10-14 days ahead, you can get a great deal in Las Vegas at Budget or National.
At the outlet mall in Primm NV (exit 1) you can see the car that Bonnie & Clyde died in.
My favorite all you can eat buffet in LV is still upstairs at the Golden Nugget. If you sit along the wall, you can see the swimming pool that has a slide that goes through the shark tank.
At the outlet mall in Primm NV (exit 1) you can see the car that Bonnie & Clyde died in.
My favorite all you can eat buffet in LV is still upstairs at the Golden Nugget. If you sit along the wall, you can see the swimming pool that has a slide that goes through the shark tank.
Dec 10th, 2018, 08:02 AM
#57
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I would personally still cut Vegas "down to size" - you can see tons of "hustle and bustle" and everything it is famous for in 2 days (which could be 2 days 2 nights, or 2 days 3 nights depending on when you arrive and depart).
Since you like greenery and lakes, make sure you have enough time in Lake Tahoe to drive the entire circumference of the lake, and maybe get out of the car for short walks. The lake is very different all the way around (east is different from west, north is different from south). June is not really beach weather in Lake Tahoe, but the lake is always beautiful.
Since you like greenery and lakes, make sure you have enough time in Lake Tahoe to drive the entire circumference of the lake, and maybe get out of the car for short walks. The lake is very different all the way around (east is different from west, north is different from south). June is not really beach weather in Lake Tahoe, but the lake is always beautiful.
Dec 10th, 2018, 12:17 PM
#59
Nooooooooooooo!!! Going over the border to Tijuana will NOT give you a taste of "real Mexico". Please save this beautiful country for a different trip when you have time to go and explore what it has to offer. Which is huge and vast and fabulous. And trust me you will not find that in Tijuana.
Dec 10th, 2018, 12:41 PM
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You need to check with your rental car company as some of them will not allow their cars to be driven over the border. Plus you need to buy special Mexican auto insurance to cover your driving there. If you insist on driving into Mexico, skip Tijuana and instead visit Ensenada or Rosarito (the latter has a pretty nice beach).
